Ricardo Alvarez ‘becomes first Arsenal transfer of summer window’

Arsenal have reportedly secured their first signing of the summer with Ricardo Alvarez set to arrive from Velez Sarsfield.

Velez Sarsfield player Ricardo Alvarez is apparently set to move to Arsenal at the end of the season (Pic: AFP/Getty)

The Argentinian attacking midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season, and South American media are claiming heâs already signed a deal to take him to the Emirates in June.

The move would represent a significant coup for Arsene Wenger, as the 23-year-old has been likened to Lionel Messi after enjoying an impressive season in the Primera Division.

Velez Sarsfield are currently top of the Argentinian league and Alvarez has contributed three goals in 25 appearances, but itâs the attacking flair and silky dribbling of the 6ft 2in winger thatâs really caught the eye.

Alvarez holds an Italian passport and can play across the entire midfield, suggesting one of Tomas Rosicky, Andrey Arshavin, or Carlos Vela will be headed for the exit door.

Wenger has pledged to strengthen his squad this summer and news of the potential capture of the little-known midfielder will come as no surprise to Gunners fans, who have become accustomed to obscure names arriving in north London.